Ok, given that I am funding this myself, I am trying beads that build up on a string as they pass through each color. I bought the polymer clay and the kids make the color bead and mix in some glitter (a special glitter sold with the clay- it does not melt) and make a bead right there and then. I found a polymer clay baking over (uses a light bulb) and we bake it that day.

The kids love it- they are create their own design of bead, we bake, and they have it on a lanyard or string and build up their beads all the way through the colors. This is MUCH cheaper and rather fun.

I don't have any pictures right now, but I did find a picture online of some beads. One picture shows the clear plastic beads- the 'idea', the next shows polymer beads with mixed colors, flattened (too breakable, but the idea is there), and the last shows them as 'eyeballs' with color inside. This is FUN....

Thoughts? Ideas?

Lotus72,

What a great way to get "buy in" from your students. I bet they really enjoy making their own bead to signify their improvements.

Do they get to keep their necklace at school or take it home and then bring it back?

Also, what grade do you teach?

Thanks for sharing with us.

Tiffany Norton
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

This is a great idea! I am crafty so this is something I might enjoy! Thanks for sharing!

These are so neat!

We have the first beads made and the students are hooked. My highest flier, one who has been suspended many times over the last 2 years, through multiple foster homes, and now back with his bio-family had a very rocky start to the year. He made the first card transition and the first bead.

Wow- he was excited and motivated. I found some glitters that work with fimo clay. The first white-sparkly bead was made how HE WANTED it made.

He is ready for the making the red level complete and a pack of students are ready to focus on their own goals and make the beads.

This is so much cheaper for now... I am watching the major chains for all of the super sale coupons and then buying the clay. The mini-oven is what is making it easy to do in the classroom.

I think I will be picking glitter out of my clothes for the next few years, though. Lovin' it!

Thanks for inspiring me!

Eva
4th grade in a Title 1 school

I will take some pictures of the process, the oven, and the wall and post this next week.

Eva:P

Lotus72,

What a creative, fun, and engaging hands-on way for students to track their progress and meet their goals! I currently am using the colored paper on the wall for my Super Improvers Wall, but may try out your idea for second semester! Another cheap and great way to show their progress is to use colored embroidery floss and a keyring. When they earn their color, give them a piece of the colored embroidery floss and they make a belt on the keyring. This makes an easy visual for the students to track their progress from color to color!

Thanks for sharing!

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

Lotus72,

I can't wait to see the pictures! What a great story with your 'highest flier' (in WBT we call them Sam's...they are our most challenging students) such a testament to the power of Whole Brain!

Tiffany
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

You found something that works with your class to motivate and reinforce improvement!
Super Improvers is the strategy, but how you implement it can be differentiated according to teacher style and class theme.
We have so many creative teachers out there! I love it!
Deb

I give out glow bracelets and day - You make me GLOW with pride.